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Gorgeous Gift Wrap: A Style Guide

Written and produced by Krissa Rossbund
Photography by Peter Krumhardt

It’s the thought that counts—but the head-turning presentation makes a gift especially memorable.

The rules of gift-giving—be it white elephant and Secret Santa exchanges or a loving remembrance for your nearest and dearest—dictate that the gift itself doesn’t much matter; only the sentiment really counts. Truth be told, a presentation that demonstrates both care and flair is often remembered long after the gift itself is forgotten.

To illustrate the power of over-the-top packaging, we enlisted a wrap artist extraordinaire: paper virtuoso Alton DuLaney, winner of the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper contest. DuLaney exemplifies artistry with parcels that achieve sculpture-like status. From wild to trendy to glamorous, their frills, finery, and finishing touches sing with the joy of gift-giving.

Consider what ultimate accordion-style pleating can do for a well-mannered peplum. Use the same dressmaker technique to give a couture look to gift wrap. It’s the perfect opportunity to use a second or third paper with a pretty design. Elegant tonal patterns of damask prettified with embellishments of gold-toned ribbons, braided rope, passamenterie, and lavish tassels confirm that tradition and good taste are forever in style.

Animal patterns—untamed in the wilds of fashion and furniture—provide the perfect skin for an unexpected gift. A black zipper references fashion and is positioned to resemble a jacket that reveals a colorful T-shirt beneath. Layers of paper and ribbon in leopard, zebra, and cheetah patterns roar in both their natural colorings and palettes du jour. For instance, a pink-and-white zebra paper mixed with black-and-white ribbon of the same species is ideal for a lady with a little bit (or a lot!) of sass.

Mixing two bows together in complementary colors creates a rocker-chic look that is both casual and easy to assemble. For a spunkier look, combine animal print with a contrasting bright color, like hot pink.

A pop of red lipstick and dynamite accessories dramatize the simplest of holiday garments: the little black dress. Following fashion’s lead, ebony-patterned papers flocked in luxurious velvet, printed in party dress patterns, and bejeweled with glittery crystals sparkle like stars on a midnight clear. Paper cut to form a motif or a colorful band creates a layered effect.

A handsome combination of black and gray makes the perfect presentation for a man’s gift. Frills are kept to a minimum: Papers rich in texture create drama, while layers of folded black-and-red paper add depth. Thick grosgrain ribbon is left in a loose knot for an unexpected and imperfect detail.

Holiday ornaments are the perfect way to accessorize a package while adding color and personality. Festive glass balls are both inexpensive and easy to string together on top of a wrapped gift. Word to the wise: The balls can break easily, so use caution when transporting packages!

Riff on chic fads for your favorite fashionista. Silhouettes, feathers, and houndstooth are all strutting the runways this year. Pink-and-silver overscaled houndstooth requires only a subtle, tailored bow on a package wrapped to look like an on-trend handbag. A silhouette of the recipient affixed to a solid-colored box makes a gift tag redundant. Peacock feathers on peacock-patterned gift wrap double the fun.

Nature is often the world’s best craft store, as these color-rich peacock feathers can attest. For a more traditional holiday touch, consider using pinecones, sprigs of evergreen, or even cinnamon sticks for fragrance and a shot of color inspiration.

From blue willow china to handsome nautical stripes, the beloved combination of blue and white is perennially in style. Patterns of delicate toile, Moorish geometrics, and playful stripes inspire spirited gift boxes. “This combination can move from conservative to over the top,” says DuLaney. “For a limited palette, it offers such a variety of looks.”

One of modernism’s precepts is that even in its simplest form, a graphic element makes a statement. Here, ornamentation avoids fluff and fuss, with silver trim austerely outlining aqua-and-black paper, and metallic twine randomly wrapped around silvery paper for a textured look. Zigzag-cut paper adds a new angle to wrap with a linear motif.

Wind string or twine around a wrapped gift for a simple embellishment that doesn’t require much artistic skill. The silver twine pictured above highlights the colors of the paper while disguising any imperfections caused by tape, creasing, or tears in the wrapping paper. Consider using yarn, strips of faux fur, ribbon, or other inexpensive materials to create looks that range from casually rustic to drop-dead glamorous.